In 2006 the VPSJ produced Minimum Essential Budgets for Six Households. These budgets present details of goods and services for all aspects of living and are priced according to a Minimum Essential Standard of Living ('a Minimum Essential Standard of Living is one which meets a persons' physical, moral, spiritual and social wellbeing' - UN definition of an adequate lifestyle). The budgets are presented in terms of the weekly expenditure required for this standard of living. There are 14/15 component budgets e.g. fuel, clothing, household goods etc. For further information on each component budget see the full report Minimum Essential Budgets for Six Households 2006 (publications). The Budgets are updated on an annual basis to take into account changes in inflation, the National Minimum Wage and Social Welfare rates. The Tables below are the figures for 2010.

There are six households in the study:

Two parents and Two Children age 3 & 10

Two parents and Two Children age 10 & 15

One Parent and Two Children age 3 & 10

Pensioner Couple age 66-69

Female Pensioner age 70+

Single Adult Male age 25+

Some Key Points for 2010 Update

*In light of current practice and developments minor adjustments have been made to the Minimum Essential Goods baskets for 2010 e.g. the addition of a fire blanket and a boiler service. Please click here for more detailed account of adjustments made to baskets.

Within the six households there is a variety of income scenarios e.g. working full-time; working part-time or in receipt of social welfare bringing the number of households within the 6 types to 27. In 2010 19/27 households can afford a Minimum Essential Standard of Living. Therefore 8 households have a weekly shortfall and an income below what they need for a Minimum Essential Standard of Living.

The households who moved from a shortfall to a discretionary income in 2010 are:

(a) Two parents and two children age 10 & 15 one full-time worker and no car have a discretionary income of €3.22 a week in 2010

(b) Two parents and two children age 10 & 15 one parent working full-time and one parent working part-time and no car has a discretionary income of €0.06cent a week in 2010

(c) One parent and two children age 3 & 10 working full-time and with a car has a discretionary income of €52.48 a week in 2010. This large increase is due mainly to the introduction of the Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme (ECCE) which reduced their childcare considerably.

Apart from the significant increase in the discretionary income for the one parent household, the discretionary income recorded for the other households are very modest and any reduction in Social Welfare rates or a cut in the National Minimum Wage will mean a return to being unable to afford a Minimum Essential Standard of Living.

Overall three out of the six households in our study continue to struggle on a low income. The following are the 3 households: